Clear 4G Speed

WiMAX Today. 100 Mbps LTE-Advanced Tomorrow.

*The Clear 4G regular plan has an average speed of 3-6 Mbps. Pictured above is the upper limit of that tier.

Clear 4G speed mirrors Sprint 4G WiMAX (as they utilize the same backbone) but falls short of everyone else. That includes:

AT&T 4G LTE & HSPA+

Sprint 4G LTE

T-Mobile 4G HSPA+

Verizon 4G LTE

However, at $35 and $50 for unlimited mobile broadband, it’s hard to complain. After all, no other provider can claim truly unlimited 4G plans when it comes to USB modems, dedicated mobile hotspots and laptops. Rather, they each have a caveat:

LTE To The Rescue?

Though these trial numbers never end up holding up in real-world use, it’s notable that the company achieved these speeds while driving around, not sitting in a lab wearing white coats with the base station a few yards away.

Needless to say, though, they’re taking the LTE option pretty seriously if they’re dumping serious cash into testing it out and publishing the results.

However, it’s been 2 years since these tests made an impressive splash and Clear is sorely lagging behind in the LTE deployment department. Thankfully, that may be about to change in 2013 with the potential to leap past Verizon and AT&T’s current 4G LTE speeds:

This is the year we begin overlaying LTE Advanced-ready technology on our 4G WiMAX network.

The technical trials are complete and we’re looking at an initial implementation of our LTE network…during the first half of 2013.

Our LTE network will be “LTE Advanced-ready” meaning that it will use an ultra-high-capacity spectrum configuration that is superior to the typical configuration of the slower, more capacity-constrained commercial LTE network designs in the United States today.

What This Means For You:

It’s not the fastest 4G network out there nor the most available. What it is however, is unlimited. Your best bet is to treat it like an all you can eat buffet. The price is cheap and the quality meh but hey, it’s all you can eat right?

On that note, whether they’ll provide unlimited 4G LTE or not remains to be seen. While that would seriously put them in the game, it’s still too early to tell how they’ll price it.

Clear 4G Coverage

Still only 82 WiMAX Markets. LTE in 31 Cities In 2013.

Clear 4G coverage growth has stalled since last year. With only 82 WiMAX markets, it begets the question:

What’s up with that man?

Money. That’s what.

A year ago, Sprint reduced its voting stake to distance itself from the financially fragile Clearwire. The move meant that Clearwire couldn’t be considered a unit and potentially affect Sprint’s debt if there was a default or other major event. While Clear received a much needed cash infusion and this year’s funding issues, the path forward isn’t set in stone…both companies stressed that the shift doesn’t alter other components of their relationship.

…

Late last year, Clearwire signed a new network partnership with Sprint to help fund its operations beyond 2012, along with selling additional $300 million in equity. In May, the company said it would raise up to $300 million in another stock sale over the coming months to help fund operations.

Numerous investors have walked away from Clearwire. In March, Google Inc. (GOOG) sold its entire 29.4 million share stake in Clearwire for a $433.5 million loss, ending a nearly four-year $500 million investment. Intel Corp. wrote down the entire value of its 7.3% voting stake in Clearwire earlier this year.

So while Sprint has stepped in once more to save the day, Clear has still taken some serious damage in the loss of Google and Intel, both of whom were original heavy financial backers. Nonetheless, Clear might just turn out to be the little engine that could:

We’re looking at an initial implementation of our LTE network that aims to target densely populated, urban areas of our existing 4G markets where current usage demands are high. New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle will be among the 31 cities where we will launch our TDD-LTE network during the first half of 2013.

– Clearwire [ibid]

If they pull this off, it’ll be a much needed update to a flailing network.

What This Means For You:

If you’re not already in a Clear 4G coverage area, don’t expect WiMAX coverage to be coming your way…ever. Your best bet will be to keep a close eye on Clear 4G LTE expansion plans.

To see if Clear 4G coverage is available in your city, see their interactive 4G coverage map here. If you are, then you’ll stand to benefit from taking a look at this year’s device lineup.

Additionally, the Atlas has an LED that shows signal strength and connection status plus an external antenna port that’ll be handy for users with poor indoor reception.

As a current WiMAX user, I can attest to dramatically higher 4G speeds with just an increase of an extra bar.

It really makes a difference.

Outside of that, it is noteworthy that the Atlas stick doesn’t require a flash drive as the Clear 4G Mobile does for installation. It’s truly a plug and play device with all necessary software/drivers residing on the device itself.

Unfortunately, no microSD expansion slot here.

Clear Hubs | Internet at Your Home or Office

Not going anywhere for awhile? Grab a Clear Hub.

All plays on Snickers catchphrases aside, Clear Hubs are essentially just like your regular cable or DSL modem except they grab the internet over the air (OTA) rather than through a wired connection.

Like a mobile hotspot, it then broadcasts 4G WiMAX to your house or office.

The major difference between mobile hotspots and Clear hubs are that the latter:

Receive power from an AC adapter (no batteries)

Can also connect to devices via a traditional ethernet cord in addition to WiFi

Given their stationary design, wider broadcast range and ethernet cord, it’ll be more suited to running all your home or office needs such as WiFi printers, WiFi-enabled TVs as well as gaming systems such as a PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 for minimal lag (though it’ll need to be wired).

In short, it’ll power devices that won’t move too much as well. Of course, you can still connect your smartphone and laptop to it but you get the idea.

If a Clear Hub is up your alley, you’ll have a choice between the Clear Modem with WiFi and the Clear Hub Express:

Clear Modem with WiFi

The Clear Modem w/WiFi is pretty basic as far as modems are concerned.

It comes secure out of the box and requires no professional installation (as per a cable modem for instance).

It notably has an LED to indicate signal strength which should aid in finding the best spot to get 4G signal within your house.

Clear was kind enough to send a device our way last year and from experience, that spot will most always be by a window with as little obstruction from trees and concrete as possible.

Notably, it uses 802.11b, g or n protocols.

If you’re big on streaming movies in 720p or 1080p from say a network hard drive, know that the 802.11n definitely makes a difference in maintaining the smoothness of video playback.

At the time of this writing, the Clear Modem w/WiFi is available for 50% at $50.

Clear Hub Express

The Clear Hub Express is identical to the Clear Modem w/WiFi except it has an external antenna port for getting better signal.

From my experiences with both Clear 4G Home Modems and Sprint 4G WiMAX mobile hotspots, I can attest to dramatically higher speeds after getting an extra bar or two of signal.

For those not in the best of Clear 4G coverage areas, this may give the extra boost needed to enjoy the service as intended.

Like the Clear Modem w/WiFi the Clear Hub Express is available for 50% off ($50) at the time of writing.

Given that this is the superior of the two devices, there’s no reason not to pick this up in favor of the Clear Modem w/WiFi.

Verdict

Not Top Notch But Still Solid.

Clear’s obvious strength lies in their 4G plans and pricing.

While all the major players already have or are gearing up to get faster 4G networks before Clear launches LTE, no major carrier offers truly unlimited mobile broadband for laptops, mobile hotspots, USB modems and the like.

Unfortunately, their Achilles heel at the moment is a glaring lack of expansive 4G coverage. Their 4G speed, while okay, is quickly falling behind the fastest 4G mobile broadband services available right now.

With LTE to launch next year, Clear may just make a come back. For now, they’re a viable alternative to major cellphone providers for those who’d like to save a couple bucks if they’re available in your area. If you do, their device selection isn’t all that bad either.

Sidenote: While Sprint and Clear’s 4G WiMAX networks are currently tied to each other, there’s no indication that their 4G LTE networks will piggyback off each other as they continue to build their LTE networks independent of each other.

Are You a Clear User? What’s Your Take?

10 Comments

jd says:

This is the SECOND time (8/09 & 6/12) I have purchased a clear device based on their coverage map which INCORRECTLY said my home had coverage. Their map SHOWS additional towers nearby recently but their remains no signal for several streets in my area.

Buying a new device and signing up for the new 4G was a snap. But my home is in the shadow of a couple of hills and despite what Clear’s Pakistan tech support says…HAS NO SIGNAL within my house or a few others nearby.

The tough part was getting them to reverse the DOUBLE BILLING they charged at the set up. Not tough, IMPOSSIBLE !

Their excuse? They didn’t have my address to send a refund check.

They may well have an excellent signal elsewhere, but their business support staff are completely incompetent. And if anyone wants details, I finally began keeping copies of all chats and contacts.

THEN they had the nerve to ask me to complete a survey…which I did at length. No one seems to read those either. A complete FAIL !!

That’s terrible on their part JD. Good move on recording all correspondence with them. I do the same in the sad event I run up against this sort of thing. You may need to jump to “#5: Call For Back Up” in the 5 Steps of Getting Out of Any Mobile Broadband Contract. Hope this helps!

Mary says:

I find this mothwatering – they have coverage here but do not market where I live -then I remembered why. My town (xxx, MA) only contracts with Comcast exclusively in return for free school, library access) and excessive fees for anyonne else sans a larger pipe than 13 or 18 gb. Appalling

Bob says:

We read your reviews and thought that we would give Clear a try. Set-up and registration was very easy. Download has ranged between 5.6 and 8.2 .I even tried to connect in an area that their web page says was unsupported and got 2 lights and download at 2.0. So far I couldn’t be happier for the speed to price. Thank you Marc for your well researched site!

AJ says:

I remember several years ago (well, more like 10 or more, I do believe) there was a company called Earthlink and they had just purchased a company who’s name escapes me, but the device this company had was called Merlin.

This device was way ahead of it’s time. Back then, laptops had a slot on which you could put a wireless card in it. I think it is or was called PCMCIA slot. Back then, they didn’t have built-in-wireless like they have today.

Where am I going with this conversation? I’m glad you ask! It is all leading up to what was discuss above. Back to this device. The Device as you already have know was called Merlin. Their Claim To Fame such as it was
was to allow anyone with this PCMCIA Card to get online anywhere.

Now, mind you this was before Starbucks, Before Wifi was a household name. Before the advent of Wireless built in devices. You put this card in and low and behold you could get Internet anywhere you where. Like I stated before you didn’t have to Hunt or Find A Hotspot.

Alas, this technology was ahead of it’s time. The prices for this device was quite expensive. The rates where very high so, I think it died a slow death.
Fast forward to this conversation about Clear. I have been following this Company for over 5 years now. I had the good fortune of reading about this Company, ever since the article said Wi Max On Steroids!

That really peaked my interest in this Company. Mine you, this article was written over 5 years ago. So, let’s move to the present. Yes! I have a device called the Clear Spot Voyager! I use it daily in my Computer Business. I set it up so I can get on the net to do the updates in another part of the store.

I like to use a special area for Laptops and another area for Desktops. Please marvel at how fast they can get on my Network and how fast it is. So, in a nutshell I swear by them. I swear by the Clear Spot Voyager. I take it wherever I go with my Tablet at my side. If I’m at Starbucks, I use their provided Wifi. If I’m at McDonald’s I use their Free Wifi.

The great thing about having the Clear Spot Voyager, I can be at Subway and while I’m waiting for my Sandwich or just kicking it there, I can watch Hulu, Netflix’s, on my tablet with my Clear Spot Voyager. It doesn’t get any better than that.

djbg says:

djbg says:

disregard last comment i see i did not have to enter a website re adding a comment ; my issue with my clear mobile hotspot gadget its constantly showing the blue/red lite and i have to turn it off or take battery in/out to get the dag thing to get the blue/green, or it turns at blue/red aftrwards and when i calll clear they find no problem with my service, i think its a gadget issue meaning i a new mobile hotspot, but how can i tell to fix the exact problem

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All information provided on this site is intended for informational/educational purposes. It is not intended to be professional advice and does not serve as a substitute for an individual’s responsibility to read all carriers’/providers terms and conditions. All trademarks and registered trademarks, whether or not identified, are acknowledged to be the property of their respective owners.

In short, I'll try help you do your due diligence so let's be cool. Please don't sue me.